Surname Speakes - Meaning and Origin

Speakes: What does the surname Speakes mean?

The surname Speakes is of English origin and appears to be occupational, likely derived from the Old English "specan," meaning to speak. Thus, it could have originally been bestowed as a nickname or job title for someone who was a professional speaker, a spokesperson, a town crier, or even a preacher. Over time, this descriptor became a hereditary surname. However, like many surnames, interpretations can vary and the true origin of a specific family's surname may be unique to them. It's important to note that surnames often evolved as a way to sort people into groups by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, and even physical characteristics. Today, Speakes is less common as a surname, but those who hold it can nearly always trace their lineage back to England or Scotland.

Speakes: Where does the name Speakes come from?

The last name Speakes is a surname most commonly found in the southern United States. Speakes is of English and French origin, and was first brought over to America in the late 1600s. Today, it is most commonly found in the southern states of Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, although it also has some presence in other states throughout the United States.

The outdoor retailer Speakeasy Supply Co. has roots derived from the Speakes lineage, which is why its name bears such an uncanny resemblance. The Speakes family genealogy has been well-documented in the United States, as well as in England.

In the United States, Speakes is most associated with episodic appearances in U.S. history by Reverened James Speakes, a slave-owner and pastor who was active in the Revolutionary War. Additionally, Speakes was a popular surname among Civil War Civilians on both the Confederate and Union sides.

In short, Speakes is a name most commonly found in Southern/Southern-affiliated states in the U.S., as well as in its place of origin, England. It is linked to the family legacy of Reverened James Speakes, as well as the Speakeasy Supply Co outdoor brand.

Variations of the surname Speakes

The surname Speakes is a patronymic surname derived from the name of an ancestor and is most commonly found in England. Variations of this name include Speak, Speake and Speas, as well as alternative spellings such as Speek and Speik. This surname can also be found in northern Ireland with the various spellings of Spake, Speik, Speake, and Spea.

In Scotland, the Speake surname is Anglicized from the Gaelic name MacSpechach, from the Gaelic name of the ancestor's father. The English variant of Speake is more commonly found in England and is sometimes seen as Spake.

Speakers is also a variation of the surname Speakes. This variant is believed to be a derivative of the original surname, derived from the Old English word speke which translates to "speaker." This variant tends to be found in the United States more so than in England.

Finally, Spakes is the most common spelling of the surname in America today. It is believed to have derived from either the original English (Speakes) or the Scottish (MacSpechach) variants.

In conclusion, the Speake surname is derived from the Old English word speke and the Gaelic name MacSpechach and has numerous variants and spelling variations. These include Speak, Speake, Speas, Speek, Speik, MacSpechach, Spake, Speake, Spea, Speakers, and Spakes. The Speake surname is most commonly found in England and Scotland, while the Speakers and Spakes variants are more commonly found in the United States.

Famous people with the name Speakes

• Larry Speakes: former White House Press Secretary and author
• Jeff Speakes: former professional baseball player
• Steven Speakes: USAF General
• David Speakes: former CEO of Garvey Corporation
• Scott Speakes: former college and NFL football player
• Martha Speakes: professor at the University of North Carolina
• John Speakes: former currency trader and journalist
• Bill Speakes: former mayor of Birmingham, Alabama
• Michael Speakes: former professional NASCAR driver
• Jamie Speakes: Olympic gold medalist in swimming

Other surnames

SpeakSpeakeSpeaks